Patient data collection system and methods

Abstract

A system for collecting patient screening data is disclosed. The system includes force measuring apparatus for measuring weight and for measuring balance forces, and stimuli delivery apparatus for delivering first stimuli designed to evaluate visual acuity, for delivering second stimuli designed to evaluate hearing acuity, and for accepting patient responses to the first stimuli and the second stimuli. A processing unit is associated with and manages the operation of the force measuring apparatus and the stimuli delivery apparatus for collecting weight and balance force measurements from the force measuring apparatus and patient responses from the stimuli delivery apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part application from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 938,953, filed 24 Aug. 2001 now abandoned.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to apparatus and methods identifying balance disorders, and to apparatus and methods for detecting and measuring biological functions in humans and for collecting patient screening data.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Falls among patients, especially the elderly, is a rapidly growing problem, which costs patients and insurance companies over $20 billion each year. Fall prevention does not begin with knowing how to prevent falls. Rather, fall prevention lies in getting physicians, particularly primary care physicians, to identify and assess virtually every fall risk patient and every elderly patient. Making an assessment of a patient's fall risk requires a physical examination, an audiometric / otological evaluation, a focused patient medical history asse...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Identification of a balance of falls risk patient is accomplished with the balance screening system, in accordance with the principle of the invention. The force measuring apparatus of the balance screening system identifies subjects with abnormal balance / sway / stability in through simple quiet standing, with eyes closed, on the force measuring apparatus. Perturbing foam can be placed on the force measuring apparatus for heightening balance / sway measurements. The computer of the balance screening system incorporates software having age-based normative data that can be compared to collected patient balance force data for identifying patients with balance problems and warn the doctor when the patient is at an increased risk of falling.

Problems solved by technology

Falls among patients, especially the elderly, is a rapidly growing problem, which costs patients and insurance companies over $20 billion each year.

Unfortunately, very few physicians incorporate fall risk assessment in their patient screening procedures, because to do so is time consuming, and requires specialized and expensive equipment including audiometric and otological testing equipment, and specialized training.

Accordingly, most primary care physicians avoid making fall prevention assessments because it disrupts their work-flow, takes a great deal of their time, and requires specialized equipment and expertise.

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